# Pequenos Rebentos Ancestral (2025)

- **Producer:** Márcio Lopes
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** sparkling
- **Grapes:** Loureiro
- **Region:** Vinho Verde, Portugal
- **Style:** Natural
- **Alcohol:** 12.5%
- **Average price:** €20
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now
- **Serving temperature:** 6–8 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** blossom, lemon, melon

## About this wine

Márcio Lopes, an Agricultural Engineer born in 1983, embarked on his personal wine project, "Pequenos Rebentos" (Little Sprouts), in 2010, guided by his motto "To experiment, to do, to realize." This particular wine, Pequenos Rebentos Ancestral, is a distinctive single-varietal Loureiro from the Minho region, part of Portugal's larger Vinho Verde area. While the 2025 vintage is referenced on the label, it is important to note that as of May 2026, this vintage has not yet been released and is likely still undergoing aging. The wine is celebrated for its unique Pétillant Naturel (Pet Nat) style, which is less commonly seen for Loureiro in the Vinho Verde region, contributing to its naturally cloudy appearance and vibrant character.

## Interesting facts

- Márcio Lopes' life motto is "To experiment, to do, to realize."
- This single-varietal Loureiro Pet Nat is uncommon in the Vinho Verde region.
- Its naturally cloudy appearance is a hallmark of the ancestral method.
- The producer, Márcio Lopes, started his personal project in 2010.

## Food pairing

The wine's vibrant acidity and natural effervescence act as an excellent palate cleanser, making it ideal for cutting through the richness of fried foods or complementing the delicate flavors of seafood. Its floral and citrus notes harmonize beautifully with fresh, zesty dishes and light cheeses, enhancing the overall dining experience.

## Wine making process

Pequenos Rebentos Ancestral is crafted using the ancestral method, also known as Pétillant Naturel (Pet Nat). This traditional winemaking technique involves bottling the wine before its primary fermentation is complete. Crucially, no additional sugars or yeasts are introduced; the fermentation simply finishes in the bottle, naturally creating the wine's effervescence. This method results in a naturally sparkling wine with a characteristic cloudy appearance due to the presence of lees. Grapes for previous vintages, such as 2023, were sourced from conventionally farmed vineyards.